In the crazed college basketball world, the word normally attached to the month of March is "madness."
Well, this season, that same word can be used to describe the Big Ten standings behind league-leading Wisconsin.
It's crazy to think about — probably because it feels like football season just ended — but college basketball has begun the final week of its regular season. It's probably even more difficult to grasp for most reading this story since the majority of Eleven Warriors readers are still reveling in Ohio State's 42-20 national championship win in football.
Alas, the Buckeyes have had themselves an interesting, up-and-down season on the hardwood. The same can be said of most other Big Ten teams sans the Badgers, who have been the cream of the crop in the league all year.
The top-four seeds in the Big Ten tournament will receive a double-bye and won't have to play a game in Chicago until Friday. Wisconsin already has one of those locked up and will clinch the No. 1 seed with one more win or a Maryland loss. The Terrapins would also assure themselves a double-bye with one win in their final two games.
Determining the rest of the seeds, however, is quite a task. But first let's glance at how the Big Ten standings, for teams who can finish no worse than 10-8, look as of right now.
| TEAM | CONFERENCE | OVERALL |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 14-2 | 26-3 |
| Maryland | 12-4 | 24-5 |
| Purdue | 11-5 | 19-10 |
| Ohio State | 10-6 | 21-8 |
| Michigan State | 10-6 | 19-10 |
| Iowa | 10-6 | 19-10 |
| Indiana | 9-7 | 19-10 |
| Illinois | 8-8 | 18-11 |
The Buckeyes, currently in a tie for fourth place with a 10-6 league mark, would get the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten tournament if it started today because they are 0-3 against the two teams they're tied with. Right now, Michigan State would be the No. 4 seed and Iowa would be the No. 5.
Each team has two games remaining, so let's break each one down in depth and take a look at what each has left.
Wisconsin
Remaining schedule: at Minnesota (Thursday), at Ohio State (Sunday).
Outlook: I think the Badgers lock up the top seed by winning at Minnesota on Thursday. Wisconsin could then possibly rest some guys in the regular-season finale against Ohio State. Couple that with the Buckeyes being a much better team at home, I think the Badgers fall on the road to end the season. Projected league record: 15-3.
Maryland
Remaining schedule: at Rutgers (Tuesday), at Nebraska (Sunday).
Outlook: The Terrapins have benefited from a fairly easy second-half to their Big Ten schedule. They close with two road games, but shouldn't have a problem with either Rutgers or Nebraska. Projected league record: 14-4.
Purdue
Remaining schedule: at Michigan State (Wednesday), vs. Illinois (Saturday).
Outlook: The Boilermakers have a pair of games remaining with teams in the top half of the Big Ten. I don't think Purdue can go on the road and beat a Michigan State team that is desperate for a win after two-straight losses, but I think the Boilermakers bounce back and take care of the Illini at home in their finale. Projected league record: 12-6.
Ohio State
Remaining schedule: at Penn State (Wednesday), vs. Wisconsin (Sunday).
Outlook: The Buckeyes should easily take care of business against Penn State, but then need to pull an upset against the Badgers to have a shot at the double-bye. Ohio State is a much better team at home and think they can pull it off, giving it a four-game winning streak to close out the regular-season. Projected league record: 12-6.
Michigan State
Remaining schedule: vs. Purdue (Wednesday), at Indiana (Saturday).
Outlook: Sparty is desperate for a win after losing back-to-back games. Now back on the NCAA tournament bubble, I think Michigan State gets a much-needed home win against Purdue, but falls on the road at Assembly Hall to Indiana in the season finale. Projected league record: 11-7.
Iowa
Remaining schedule: at Indiana (Tuesday), vs. Northwestern (Saturday).
Outlook: Iowa has won four straight after going through a stretch where it lost five out of seven. Inconsistency has plagued the Hawkeyes and I think it gets them on the road against Indiana before closing out the year with a home win against Northwestern. Projected league record: 11-7.
Indiana
Remaining schedule: vs. Iowa (Tuesday), vs. Michigan State (Saturday).
Outlook: For some reason, I have put a lot of faith in the Hoosiers to win their final two games. I don't exactly know why I'm picking them to win their last two games, but I am. With recent losses putting Indiana back on the NCAA tournament bubble, I think it can find a way to get it done against two good teams with both games being at Assembly Hall. Projected league record: 11-7.
Illinois
Remaining schedule: vs. Nebraska (Wednesday), at Purdue (Saturday).
Outlook: The Illini aren't really a threat to get one of those top-four seeds, but they can still impact the rest of the seeding if they can pull off an upset of Purdue. I think Illinois beats Nebraska at home, but falls to the Boilermakers on the road. Projected league record: 9-9.
If the rest of the final week of the Big Ten season plays out like above (it won't), the top-seven seeds for the Big Ten tournament would be as such:
- 1. Wisconsin (15-3)
- 2. Maryland (14-4)
- 3. Ohio State (12-6)
- 4. Purdue (12-6)
- 5. Indiana (11-7)
- 6. Michigan State (11-7)
- 7. Iowa (11-7)
Head hurt yet? Yeah, mine too.
